6th Marine Corps District > Units > Recruiting Station Columbia

Former Marine Public Affairs Sergeant Gives Back to Community After EAS

Corporal Tabitha Bartley reaffirms her oath to the country during her 2013 reenlistment ceremony. Bartley, a Lafayette, Ind., native choose the Chesty Puller monument located at the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, Va., for Puller's importance to the corps. (Photo Courtesy of Tabitha Bartley)

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Marines, poolees join Marine Raider Memorial March

The Rucking Raiders were joined by Marine Corps Recruiting Station Columbia during their Marine Raider March on a portion of the 900 mile ruck on July 21, 2018, as they passed through Columbia, S.C. Marines and future Marines from RS Columbia joined the ruckers for 8 miles of their journey, to honor service members who lost their lives in a aircraft crash a year ago. To support the march, follow the Marine Raider Memorial March on Facebook and visit their website at http://www.ruckingraiders.com. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tabitha Bartley)

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Marines Attend the Drum Corps International

Gunnery Sergeant Matthew R. Phagan, the Music Technical Assistant with 6th Marine Corps District, speaks to attendees of the Drum Corps International at River Bluff High School in Lexington, South Carolina, July 07, 2018. The Drum Corps International creates a stage for the Marine Corps to engage in education, competition, and the promotion of individual growth. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jack A. E. Rigsby)

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Recruiting Station Columbia Honor Graduate

Private First Class Ryan A. Harder graduated Marine Corps recruit training June 29, 2018, aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. Harder was the Honor Graduate of platoon 2048. Harder was recruited by SSgt. Ray C. Littles from Recruiting Substation North Charleston. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jack A. E. Rigsby)

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Marines attend the Coca-Cola 600

Major Jason G. Ellis, Commanding Officer of Recruiting Station Columbia, speaks to attendants of the Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 26, 2018. The Marines took part in the battles won challenge trailer at the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race to spread awareness of the opportunities that the Marine Corps can provide. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jack A. E. Rigsby)

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Marines attend 2018 CIAA

Gunnery Sergeant Bryan Davis, staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge of Recruiting Substation Charlotte, observes an attendant of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Education Day participating in ammo-can lifts at the Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, on Feb. 28, 2018. The Marines took part in the Education Day at the CIAA to spread awareness and inform others of the opportunities the Marine Corps can provide. The Education Day assists recruiters by offering them different tools to reach students across the state. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jack A. E. Rigsby)

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David (left) and Brianna (right) pose for a photo at their wedding. (U.S. Marine Corps courtesy photo) - David (left) and Brianna (right) pose for a photo at their wedding. (U.S. Marine Corps courtesy photo)

From Wedding Shoes To Combat Boots

KENNESAW, Ga. – Making the commitment to go to Officer Candidates School and ultimately commission in the U.S. Marine Corps is a rare feat. Making that commitment while married and as a couple? Nearly unheard of, but David and Brianna Whitehead did just that. Their story began in 2012 when David and Brianna decided to join Navy Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Lassiter High School in Marietta, Georgia. Initially they were just acquaintances, but by their sophomore year, they started dating. “It was quick," said David. "We started talking, then went on a drill trip in Jacksonville, Florida, and then, by the next week, we started dating. We started dating in October of 2013, and we’ve been together ever since.”

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Johnson was awarded the NROTC scholarship in 2018 and is attending college at Louisiana State University. Those who are nominated through the highly competitive national selection process receive full tuition, a books stipend, educational fees, and other financial benefits at many of the country's leading colleges and universities. Upon graduation, NROTC recipients earn a commission as an officer in the Marine Corps or Navy. (Courtesy Photo) - Midshipman 3rd Class Michael Johnson, a recipient of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Scholarship and sophomore at Louisiana State University, participates in a field training exercise in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Nov. 22, 2019.

Louisiana native pursues future as a Marine Corps officer

Michael Johnson, a Rayne, Louisiana, native and sophomore at Louisiana State University, won the $180,000 scholarship in 2018. His desire to serve in the military was influenced by his grandfather, a U.S. Navy veteran, who served in World War II.

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Lt. Col. Jose Luis Montalvan, with 6th Marine Corps District, remembers his journey at 11 years of age from Nicaragua to the U.S., and how his upbringing led him to a life of military service at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina, on Sept. 3, 2020. Montalvan enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1995, and earned a commissioning through the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program in 2002. He currently serves as the district recruiting operations officer for 6th MCD, where he oversees recruiting operations and training to ensure that the most qualified men and women are given the opportunity to join the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jorge A. Rosales) - Lt. Col. Jose Luis Montalvan, with 6th Marine Corps District, remembers his journey at 11 years of age from Nicaragua to the U.S., and how his upbringing led him to a life of military service at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina, on Sept. 3, 2020. Montalvan enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1995, and earned a commissioning through the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program in 2002. He currently serves as the district recruiting operations officer for 6th MCD, where he oversees recruiting operations and training to ensure that the most qualified men and women are given the opportunity to join the Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jorge A. Rosales)